Sustainable agriculture effort gets funding for Ohio farms

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association has partnered with a group of investors who are making $500,000 available to launch the OEFFA Investment Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to promote sustainable agriculture in Ohio by making flexible and affordable capital available to member farmers and farm-related businesses.

By helping to mobilize additional sources of capital, OEFFA said it hopes to build the supply and availability of local, sustainably grown fresh food in Ohio, enhance farm and farm-related business viability and encourage expansion of ecological agricultural practices.

"The OEFFA Investment Fund is the farmers' source for financing," said the association's executive director, Carol Goland.

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"The launch could not be more timely and appropriate as we search for and deploy new solutions for capitalizing a better food system,"

During the first year, the minimum funded amount will be $2,500 and the maximum will be $250,000.

The fund is open to Ohio-based association members in good standing, who will be required to submit an application package, be a farm or a related business supporting the supply chain of agricultural products from farm to consumer, and commit to support sustainable agricultural practices throughout the life of the investment.

Applications are being accepted and first funding decisions are expected in January. Additional information and application forms are available at www.oeffa.org/invest.php.